Prosser public commenters urge state action on WIAA rules as board hears divided views

Dozens of community members addressed the Prosser School District Board of Directors during the meeting's public comment period to press competing positions on whether boys who identify as girls should be allowed to compete in girls' school sports and on WIAA rulemaking.

The speakers said the matter is now primarily being decided at the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, or WIAA, and at the state legislature; several urged residents to contact state representatives and attend WIAA votes set for later in April. Parents and former coaches said allowing biological males to compete in girls' events could harm girls' safety, fairness, and scholarship opportunities. Other speakers said transgender students deserve protection and called for empathy and inclusion.

Why it matters: local school districts host meets and supply athletes who are directly affected by WIAA policy and by state law; several speakers warned that changes at the WIAA or at the Legislature could affect local competitions the district will host and the opportunities available to Prosser students.

Several speakers framed the issue as both practical (competitive fairness and safety in athletics) and moral (how students are treated in the community). Jessica Nicholas, a Prosser resident and former student, read a social-media post describing an upcoming WIAA vote and warned that “there is a boy competing in girls' track who plans to race against our girls at the April meet Prosser is hosting.” Andy Gilbertson, who said he taught and coached in Prosser for 33 years, told the board the community should “keep it fair for all girls.” Audrey Kaufman said she supported the board members who “are taking a leadership on this issue” and said she did “not believe men should ever be allowed to be in women's sports.”

Other speakers urged care for transgender youth. Jessica Hofer told the board that her daughter had raced against a biologically male athlete at an invitational and said she supported an “open category” option rather than removing opportunities. Laura Jansen and another commenter emphasized that “trans kids are kids” and urged stopping attacks on transgender people. Bill Jenkins, a former board member and state representative who spoke during public comment, proposed creating a separate or “co-ed” category so all students could participate while preserving girls’ competition.

The board did not take new action on the subject during this meeting. Multiple public commenters also urged attendees to follow and contact state legislators about pending bills they said would alter local control over schools.

Speakers listed in the meeting's public comments reflected both sides of the issue; their remarks were delivered during the designated public comment period and recorded in the meeting minutes.

The district's board members discussed the difference between their authority and the rulemaking authority of the WIAA and of state law during board reports, noting the board itself cannot unilaterally change WIAA policy or state law.

The district did not adopt a new policy or make a binding decision on eligibility at this meeting; commenters were directed to state processes and to the WIAA representative assembly for formal rule changes.